Pete Wicks tells us he has only got himself to blame for his bad-boy reputation
The TOWIE star says he’s ready to go steady
‘My dog’s a better judge of character’
For four years now, lovelorn celebs have headed to the Celebrity Dating Agency for a crash-course in romance and finding “The One” (with some cheeky snogs along the way). But it’s a different world out there, and the singletons among us will know that dating is a whole new ball game… with no balls.
Step in Celebs Go Virtual Dating – the spin-off to the popular E4 show, which aims to get those reality stars romance-ready in a COVID-19 era. That means a lot less heavy petting, and a lot more deep and meaningful chats. The big question is, how the hell did infamous playboy Pete Wicks, 31, cope with the online dates and socially distanced walks? Speaking to heat, the TOWIE star (who’s hoping his second stint at the agency will prove more successful than his first) says he rose to the challenge – with a little help from his dog… How does it feel being back at the agency? It’s lovely, because I need advice non-stop. I wasn’t so serious last time, but I’ve got further along in the journey this time – let’s put it that way. I’m learning a lot about myself. Was dating at a distance tough? You just have to learn new techniques for flirting, which is quite difficult, because I’ve got tried-and-tested things that I wasn’t able to rely on.
But, actually, you develop a more emotional connection to the person because you’re listening more. But I do miss having a little kiss at the end of the date. That normally starts the night for me! Did you take the dogs on your dates [Pete has two rescue French Bulldogs]? My dog Eric made an appearance, not Peggy. Eric’s my wingman. He’s a better judge of character than me. How does it feel when people call you a player? It’s probably my fault that people have that perception of me, so I think it’s about me changing the way I am. But, to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t give a monkey’s about what people who don’t know me think. What matters to me is what my friends think, not some doughnut in Doncaster. n
Joining the plucky gang of virtual daters are Geordie Shore legend Chloe Ferry, and rugby player Levi Davis, who, you might remember, showed off his grade-a voice and pecs as one third of Try Star on The X Factor: Celebrity last year.
Chloe, 24, tells us that it’s been a sobering experience. “Normally when I go on dates, I get drunk! But I wasn’t drinking this time,” she tells us. “And it’s difficult to flirt when you’re standing a metre apart, but I’m a stickler for the rules.” Then again, the online dates definitely had their advantages. “I had me pyjamas on at one point,” she laughs.
As for Levi, 21, he dismisses our suggestion of serenading his dates – calling it “cheesy” – but says he’d consider singing at his Try Star bandmate Thom Evan’s wedding to Nicole Scherzinger. Is he jealous that he didn’t manage to pull a Pussycat Doll? “Not really. I think Thom and Nicole are a good-fitting couple,” he says. “Anyway, Shaughna’s caught my eye!” n